A diagnosis of
cancer
is one of the worst things that can happen in your life. But chemotherapy, the very thing that is used to treat cancer, can be frightening too. Chemotherapy brings with it several side effects, one of the most common of which is difficulty eating. The following are some strategies to help you eat healthfully while receiving chemotherapy.

How Chemotherapy Affects Eating

Chemotherapy
acts by targeting and killing rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells. But, other cells in your body divide quickly as well, including the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract. Because of this, chemotherapy can have a profound impact on your ability to eat. Some chemotherapy side effects that affect your eating include:

Eating well, however, is crucial to your recovery. In fact, malnutrition has been reported as the cause of death in as many as 20% of cancer patients. Getting enough calories and nutrients while receiving chemotherapy can help you with the following:

Feel better

Maintain strength and energy

Maintain weight

Tolerate treatment-related side effects

Decrease the risk of infection

Heal and recover more quickly

Boost your immunity

Tips for Eating

At times, it may seem almost impossible to eat when you’re receiving chemotherapy. The following suggestions may help you get much-needed nutrients and calories, while minimizing other side effects like nausea and vomiting.

“The best advice for patients receiving chemotherapy is to eat smaller, more frequent meals of easily tolerated foods,” says Claire Saxton MS RD, who worked as an oncology dietitian with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. “Fatty, greasy foods and spicy foods,” Saxton notes “might not be well-tolerated, so I steer clients away from these choices.”

It is important to note that nutrition suggestions for a person receiving chemotherapy can be very different from what is recommended for daily healthful eating. Saxton explains, “Some patients need a reminder that this is a very different time for their bodies–they can and should throw
some
of the healthy eating rules out the window. I recommend not choosing reduced calorie, reduced fat, or light foods, but instead opting for the full-fat options when buying cheese, milk, and other foods.”

Dealing With Loss of Appetite

Most chemotherapy medications cause some degree of appetite loss, which can range from mild to severe and even lead to malnutrition. Usually, the change in appetite is temporary and your appetite should return once you have completed chemotherapy.

Until this happens, try some of the following tips:

Eat small meals every 1-2 hours, instead of the traditional three larger meals a day

Eat high-protein, high-calorie foods

Add extra calories and protein to meals by using ingredients like:

Milk powder

Protein powder

Peanut butter

Butter

Honey, jam, and sugar

Cheese and cream cheese

Whipped cream

Use liquid supplements that are specially prepared with extra nutrients (found in most health food stores)

Drink shakes, smoothies, milk, and soup if chewing and eating solid food is a problem

Eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as:

Soft fruits (bananas, applesauce, watermelon, peaches, and pears)

Cottage cheese

Mashed potatoes

Macaroni and cheese

Custards and puddings

Scrambled eggs

Oatmeal or other cooked cereals

Supplement meals with snacks that are rich in protein and calories, like:

Nuts

Cheese (soft, hard, and cottage)

Avocado spread on toast or crackers

Hard boiled eggs

Ice cream

Full-fat yogurt

Chocolate milk

Try to get at least one-third of your calories at breakfast, as this may be the most tolerable meal of the day

Avoid drinking fluids with meals to prevent feeling full from the fluid (continue to drinks fluids throughout the rest of the day)

Eat with others, in a pleasant environment

Managing Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are notorious side effects of chemotherapy. If you are experiencing either, talk with your doctor. There are several antiemetic drugs—drugs that prevent or alleviate nausea and vomiting—that can be used before your symptoms appear.

Some things you can do to help manage nausea and vomiting include:

Eat prior to chemotherapy treatment.

Avoid foods that are likely to cause nausea, such as spicy foods, greasy foods, or foods with strong odors.

Eat small meals.

Slowly sip fluids throughout the day.

Eat dry, bland foods like crackers, toast, or breadsticks throughout the day.

Sit up or lie with the upper body raised for one hour after eating.

Avoid eating in the room where food was prepared; the odor may be too strong.

Avoid eating in a room that is too warm.

Rinse out mouth both before and after eating.

Suck on hard candies, like peppermints or lemon drops, if there is a bad taste in your mouth.

In addition, social support is critical to your recovery. Take advantage of the kindness of others. Remember that you are fighting for your life—let your family and friends help you. Ask for assistance with grocery shopping, meal preparation, and clean up. If you have no one to help you, investigate resources in your area, like a community assistance center, support groups, local churches, social service centers, or senior centers.

If you are having problems eating, Saxton suggests asking your oncologist for a referral to a registered dietitian (RD). An RD can help you develop eating plans that may be better tolerated, while providing calories and nutrients.

One Final—but Important—Note

When you undergo cancer treatment, you can develop a weakened immune system. Avoiding food borne illnesses is essential. To help prevent food borne illnesses:

Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly, even if you plan on peeling the fruit or vegetable.

Use only pasteurized or processed ciders and juices and pasteurized milk and cheese.

And remember, your doctors may have some helpful hints of their own that can help you address these issues of nutrition. There are several newer medications available today that can stimulate your appetite, reduce nausea, and generally boost your mood.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.